Broadband Policy Feedback

[rpm]

I just had a closer look at the DoC’s Draft Broadband Policy, and it irritates me that things are made more complicated and vague than what it should. I think everything they want to achieve and say in the policy document can be simplified – this is my suggestion:

The 15 page DoC’s Draft Broadband Policy may well be improved by clearly defining the following:

--What is broadband (clear definition): Minimum Downlink and Uplink Speeds, Minimum monthly usage limit

--Affordable: Define ‘affordable broadband’ (the total monthly cost for a broadband service) in terms of either a percentage of GDP per capita or a rand value.

Hence: Every South African citizen, company and organization should have access to an Internet connection with a minimum downlink speed of x Mbps, a minimum uplink speed of y Mbps and a minimum monthly usage limit of z GB at a maximum monthly cost of r.

Initial values

x = 1.5 Mbps (ITU Broadband Definition)
y = 256 Kbps
z = 30 GB
r = R 124 per month (2% of GDP per capita)

Success

The success of the implementation of the broadband policy will be measured in terms of:

--South Africa’s total broadband penetration rate in relation to international standards
--The percentage of South African citizens which has access to affordable broadband
--The cost of broadband in relation to international standard

 

[Sting]

You have my vote!

Again it is too simple and it will deny them the opportunity to enrich their cronies via consultancy fees, research contract, etc.

 

[rpm]

Again it is too simple and it will deny them the opportunity to enrich their cronies via consultancy fees, research contract, etc.

I must say that this policy is particularly bad in terms of ‘fluff versus concrete plans’. I cant see much else this policy aims to achieve apart from what I summed up in this simple sentence.

The DoC can easily edit the values – but the whole document essentially wants all people and businesses to have access to fast Internet. But as you said moggie – easier to develop policy documents than to implement them with strict criteria on which you will be measured.

 

[Sting]

Believe me that the operators will exploit this policy in its current form.

 

[rpm]

Believe me that the operators will exploit this policy in its current form.

This is what I hated: Anyone getting a contract basically has to deliver ‘any Internet connection at any price’. I just did an article on what affordable broadband is, and it is so easy to do a better job than what they have done.

How many more times must we hear that ‘everyone must work together to make sure we see a better life for all’? And how long will it take Government to figure out that those words are empty unless they are backed up with action?

 

[Alchemist]

rpm, the UK has compiled a Digital Britain report, with the aim of reaching these goals by 2012, here's a link, it might help with ideas: http://digitalbritainforum.org.uk/report/

 

[Lightscribe]

I just had a closer look at the DoC’s Draft Broadband Policy, and it irritates me that things are made more complicated and vague than what it should. I think everything they want to achieve and say in the policy document can be simplified – this is my suggestion:

The 15 page DoC’s Draft Broadband Policy may well be improved by clearly defining the following:

--What is broadband (clear definition): Minimum Downlink and Uplink Speeds, Minimum monthly usage limit

--Affordable: Define ‘affordable broadband’ (the total monthly cost for a broadband service) in terms of either a percentage of GDP per capita or a rand value.

Hence: Every South African citizen, company and organization should have access to an Internet connection with a minimum downlink speed of x Mbps, a minimum uplink speed of y Mbps and a minimum monthly usage limit of z GB at a maximum monthly cost of r.

Initial values

x = 1.5 Mbps (ITU Broadband Definition)
y = 256 Kbps
z = 30 GB
r = R 124 per month (2% of GDP per capita)

Success

The success of the implementation of the broadband policy will be measured in terms of:

--South Africa’s total broadband penetration rate in relation to international standards
--The percentage of South African citizens which has access to affordable broadband
--The cost of broadband in relation to international standard

Great suggestion. The solution in one sentence.

 

[Tpex]

I just had a closer look at the DoC’s Draft Broadband Policy, and it irritates me that things are made more complicated and vague than what it should. I think everything they want to achieve and say in the policy document can be simplified – this is my suggestion:

rpm isn't that what all politicians always do? beat around the bush and use big words, lots of repetition with different words so it sounds more important then is is? so It can seem like they are doing some work other then buying luxury cars?

(good Idea tho) RPM FOR MINISTER OF INTERNET AND RELATED STUFF!